Strap peg board assembly for merchandise gondola

ABSTRACT

An assembly of at least one panel having two parallel panel sheets having characteristic uniformly arranged openings held in compression by peripheral channel members in combination with vertical end supports and a base rigidly connected to provide integral support.

United States Patent [1 1 Kassimir [451 Aug. 20, 1974 1 STRAP PEG BOARD ASSEMBLY FOR MERCHANDISE GONDOLA [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Levin Fixture Corporation,

Flushing, N.Y.

22 Filed: Apr. 28, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 247,442

Seymour Kassimir, Oceanside, N.Y.

[52] US. Cl 211/1, 52/616, 211/134,

248/D1G. 3 [51] Int. Cl. A471 5/00 [58] Field of Search 211/1, 177, 134, 148;

287/189.36 H; 40/155, 125 H 52/616, 615, 620; 248/D1G. 3

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1965 Moss et a1 52/616 X 3,295,283 l/1967 Griffith et a1 52/616 X 3,346,124 10/1967 Sobel 211/148 3,471,978 10/1969 Fenwick.. 52/615 X 3,577,973 5/1971 Katona i 52/616 X 3,591,993 7/1971 Reeves 52/615 X Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or FirmPennie & Edmonds [5 7 ABSTRACT An assembly of at least one panel having two parallel panel sheets having characteristic uniformly arranged openings held in compression by peripheral channel members in combination with vertical end supports and a base rigidly connected to provide integral support.

10 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PAIENIEflmczomn smears FIG. 2

STRAP PEG BOARD ASSEMBLY FOR MERCHANDISE GONDOLA BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to display apparatus and specifically to merchandising structures known in the trade as gondolas. Such units are typically of modular construction, each module having two vertical end supports which are channelled to slidably receive an intermediate panel. Brackets are hung upon the vertical supports on opposite sides of the panel for the display of merchandise. Such gondolas can be made up of one or two panels of 50 or more feet long for supermarket use, for example.

One of the problems associated with conventional gondola construction is how to attain a high degree of structural rigidity and load bearing capability commensurate with economy of construction. Units must be able to withstand severe loading without sagging, bending or structural failure.

Contrary to known types of gondola construction, the present invention uniquely provides a modular center panel of novel sandwich design interconnected to the upright support members of the gondola in such a manner as to lead greatly improved strength to these support members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a gondola is constructed having a modular central panel comprising a sandwich panel preferably of two rectangular sheetsof panel board held in spaced, coincident parallel relation along their edges by channel members having grooves for the reception of said edges. The panel board is preferably one having characteristic uniformly arranged openings and known by the trademark Peg Board. A tension strap is contained in the channel members about the periphery of the panel assembly. A reinforcing angle is placed in each corner to distribute the stress of the tension strap to the channel members which thus bear with considerable compression force against the edges of the peg boards. An attaching flange is added to the reinforcing angle for attachment of the panel to upright supports as a rigid and structurally integral part of the gondola. The invention further provides for multiple interconnecting panels and upright supports and for attachment of the upright-supports to a gondola base. I

The above construction, for the first time, permits the center panels of a gondola to assume the vertical loads imposed thereupon by weighted shelving which is supported by the upright members. Consequently, an integrated load bearing structure is provided wherein the normal upright frame members at the ends of each peg board center panel can be considerably lightened and mass-produced, thus reducing cost.

These and other aspects of the invention will become clear upon examination of the following detailed specification and of the accompany drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gondola constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a sandwich panel forming part of the gondola of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail illustrating various interconnecting members of the gondola of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are respectively cross sections taken in the direction of arrows 44, 55 and 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of various interconnectingmembers as indicated on FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a means of connecting two sandwich panels and an alternate means of connecting sandwich panels to the base of the gondola;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; I

FIGS. 10-12 are respectively cross sections taken in the direction of arrows l010, 1111 and 12l2 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cross section taken in the direction of arrow 13-43 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of a portion of the gondola of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing how a fastening means is arranged for connecting a sandwich panel to the base of a gondola; and

FIG. 16 is a detail in perspective of a clip for joining the top portions of two adjacent sandwich panels.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, a gondola 10 constructed according to the principles of the present invention has been illustrated. Gondola 10 includes a base 11 which is formed in sections Ila-11c upon which are mounted vertical sections l2-16. Each of these sections is uniquely constructed and interconnected in accordance with the present invention as will be described in detail. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, each section 12-16 includes variable height openings 17 mounting shelf brackets 18 for the support of a plurality of shelves 19, 20, 21 etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there has been illustrated a sandwich panel 22 which is an essential feature of the construction of the gondola 10 in accordance with the present invention. Each sandwich panel 22 includes four peripherally arranged channel members 23 whose inwardly defined channel 23a, 23b are adapted to receive edge portions of two adjacent panels 24 and 26. In the illustrated forms of the invention, panels 24 and 26 are of high density, compressed fiber of the type known as hardboard Peg Board having characteristic uniformly arrranged openings 24a, 26a therein. Such openings provide for decoration and for display purposes using suitable hooks. An elongated block of wood 27 is glued between each of the panels 24 and 26 to provide additional rigidity.

A tension strap 28 is contained within outwardly defined channels 23c in each of the channel members 23, the strap being connected at the four corners of the panel to an L-shaped attachment clip 29. When height is considerable, a third internal clip will be used. Each clip 29 has two legs 29a, 29b which straddle both sides of the strap 28, while a third leg 29c is received within opposite ends of channel 230. Leg 29 has a threaded opening 290 therein for a reason which will be explained subsequently. When the tension strap 28 is drawn taut, ends 28a, 28b thereof slide upon each other in opposite directions to take up any excess length of the strap. Using a known technique for securing tension straps of this type, a clip will be crimped about the v ends 28a and 28b to prevent further movement of the strap. During this process, channel members 23 will be brought to bear quite forceably against the edges of panels 24 and 26 and thus secure the entire sandwich panel 22 together as a unitary body.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, it will be seen that the base of the gondola 10, includes transverse support members 31 upon braces 32 and 33 extending longitudinally. Deck members 35 are supported along their entire length upon braces 32 and 33. Also extending longitudinally upon members 31 are L-shaped members 32-to which is welded at 33 a channel member 34. A centering rib 36 is in turn welded atop channel 34 at each end thereof. The lowermost channel member 23 rests upon' channel member 34 and is centered with respect thereto by ribs 36, ribs 36 being received within outwardly disposed channel 23c.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, it will be seen that adjacent to each vertical end of a sandwich panel 22, there is a vertical upright 38 connnected to each sandwich panel 22 by means of a threaded screw 39 which extends through each upright member 38 and into the threaded opening 29a in leg 29a of the attachment 29. As best seen in FIG. 5, each upright member 38 extends down- 7 wardly and is snugly received within a channel member 40, welded at 41 to a vertical section 42 of the base of the gondola. Screws 43 are threaded into leg a of the channel to securely clamp the upright members 38 and channel members 40 together. As seen in FIG. 3, adjacent vertical sections 42 of the frame are connected together in modular form by clips 44 and by a connector 46 whose leg 46a is secured immovably by a cotter pin 47..At the extreme lower limit of the base of the gondola, a series of hollow, rectangular members 48 provide support for the ends of the upright members 38 and for theremainder of the gondola superimposed thereon.

, Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that a channel strip 50 is welded to the top of each upright member 38, thereby forming a frame which accepts the sandwich panel 22. A connecting member 52 is received within the strips 50 joining adjacent strips 50 together by screws 53. As shown in FIG. 8, a similar type of connection is provided where a sandwich panel 22 is joined at right angles to an adjacent sandwich panel. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, a base 54 includes a deck member 55 in which holes 55a have been bored. These holes in turn receivepins 56, which have been fastened to a channel member 57 replacing channel 34 of the prior embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, an alternate form of gondola has been illustrated wherein the same reference numerals indicate parts similar to those of the gondola of FIGS. 1-8. The gondola of FIG. 9 consists of sandwich panels 22 constructed in the same manner as before-described joined to vertical uprights 60 which are roll-formed of sheet steel. This construction permits the member 60 to be mass-produced of lighter gage metal than that used in the construction of the vertical uprights 38 of the previous embodiment. Since the members 60 are of light gage construction, they are not so able by themselves to withstand the loads normally imposed upon gondolas of this type,; however, it is the function of the present invention to provide a construction wherein the panels 22 so reinforce the vertical upright members of each embodiment that the considerable load forces imposed upon the gondola will be essentially absorbed and carried by the sandwich panels.

Each of the members 60 includes L-shaped legs 60a which abut against the panel boards 24 and 26 of the sandwich panel. Outer sections 60c are in alignment with the outer surfaces of peg board 24, 26. A clip 61, generally U-shaped in cross section, is attached to an angle bracket 61a which is held against the leg 23c of channel member 23 by compression strap 28. The vertical upright members 60 are connected to the clip 61 by means of the attaching screws 62.

FIG. 11 illustrates the right angle juncture of two sandwich panels 22 as illustrated in FIG. 9. In order to form this connection, a clip 29 of the type disclosed in the previous embodiment is attached to leg 230 of the channel member by the compression strap 28. Leg 290 of the clip is secured to a bracket 64 by means of the attaching screw 65. Bracket 64 includes a leg 64a which extends over the outer flange 60b of the adjacent vertical upright which is attached to the end of the adjacent panel 22. Screw 66 connectsthe bracket 64 to the flange 60b. A U-shaped finishing member 67 is received within the upper channel member 23 of the adjacent panel 22. The plastic clip 68 bridges the gap between the adjacent panels for finishing purposes.

FIG. 12 illustrates the joining of two panels 22 in an inline arrangement. In this arrangement, a plastic clip 69 (See FIG. 16 as well) having two depending legs 69a bridges the gap between adjacent panels 22 and the vertical uprights 60 thereof. The legs 69a extend down into the open ends of the adjacent member 60 alongside of the flanges 60b thereof.

FIG. 14 illustrates the use of a plastic clip 70 having a single leg 70a which likewise fits down alongside of the flange 60a of the vertical upright 60 forming the end of a series of panels 22.

FIG. 15 illustrates the base connection between a panel 22, its upright 60 and the base of a gondola (not shown). In this form of connection, a pin 71 is welded to the lower part of flange 60a which is received within a matching opening in the gondola base as in FIG. 8.

By way of summary, the present invention provides uniquely, a gondola having center panels which, for load bearing purposes, are integrated with the vertical end supports for each panel and which interconnect the panels in a series. Consequently, the vertical frame members of the gondola need not wholly support the load which greatly helps in designing units to have truely modular construction, and permits the use of lighter, mass-produced frame members.

It will be understood that the foregoing description has been of particular embodiments of the invention and is, therefore, representative. In order to appreciate the scope of the invention, reference should be made to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid vertical end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially parallel sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides, said channel members defining spaced apart substantially parallel grooves for the reception of respective edge portions of said sides, tension strap means for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, and means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said end supports, said means being held in said channel member under said strap and including a portion disposed outwardly of said strap as an attachment means to said end supports.

2. The merchandise gondola according to claim 1 wherein a single separate channel member is arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides.

3. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid end supports and an intermediate section'held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially rectangular sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides, said channel members defining spaced apart substantially parallel grooves for the reception of respective edge portions of said sides, a tension strap for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said supports and including attaching clips between said channel members and said strap, each clip having two substantially perpendicular legs received respectively in the outward central channels of adjacent channel members, said clips further including a leg outwardly of said strap as an attachment means to said end supports.

4. The merchandise gondola according to claim 3 which includes a base frame, and means for anchoring said end supports into said base frame.

5. The merchandise gondola according to claim 4 wherein said frame includes centering means received within a horizontal, outward central channel of each said sandwich panel, said base frame including channel sections for receiving the ends of said end supports, said base frame being in section coextensive with each sandwich panel and a pair of end supports, and means for securing said base frame sections together.

6. The merchandise gondola according to claim 5 wherein a channel strip is mounted across the top of said sandwich panels and means for interconnecting said channel strips.

7. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially rectangular sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each side of the periphery of said sides, a tensionstrap for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, said end supports being of roll-form construction having an outer flange and an inner L-shaped leg connected to said outer flange by an intermediate side portion, said sides of said sandwich panel, being receiving in abutting relation with respect to said L-shaped legs to form a generally continuous surface with said side portions, means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said supports and including a U-shaped clip connected to a base bracket through which passes said tension strap,

a and meansfor attaching the outer flange of said members to said clip.

8. The merchandise gondola according to claim 7 wherein two panel members with vertical end supports .are arranged in adjacent inline relation, a clip having a horizontal portion with two depending legs therefrom, said legs fitting alongside the outer flanges of said vertical end supports to connect the adjacent panels together, and members received within the channel members of said sandwich panels to form a generally continuous upper surface with the horizontal surface of said clip.

9. The gondola according to claim 7 wherein a second sandwich panel is arranged at right angles with respect to a first said sandwich panel, a bracket is connected to the top portion of said second sandwich panel, said bracket having a leg fitting over the outer flange of a vertical support of said adjacent sandwich panel and means for attaching said leg and flange together.

10. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid vertical end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially parallel sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides, said channel members defining spaced apart substantially parallel grooves for the reception of respective edge portions of said sides, tension strap means for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, and means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said end supports and including attaching clips between said channel members and said strap, each clip having two perpendicular legs received respectively in the outward central channels of adjacent channel members. 

1. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid vertical end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially parallel sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides, said channel members defining spaced apart substantially parallel grooves for the reception of respective edge portions of said sides, tension strap means for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, and means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said end supports, said means being held in said channel member under said strap and including a portion disposed outwardly of said strap as an attachment means to said end supports.
 2. The merchandise gondola according to claim 1 wherein a single separate channel member is arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides.
 3. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially rectangular sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides, said channel members defining spaced apart substantially parallel grooves for the reception of respective edge portions of said sides, a tension strap for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said supports and including attaching clips between said channel members and said strap, each clip having two substantially perpendicular legs received respectively in the outward central channels of adjacent channel members, said clips further including a leg outwardly of said strap as an attachment means to said end supports.
 4. The merchandise gondola according to claim 3 which includes a base frame, and means for anchoring said end supports into said base frame.
 5. The merchandise gondola according to claim 4 wherein said frame includes centering means received within a horizontal, outward central channel of each said sandwich panel, said base frame including channel sections for receiving the ends of said end supports, said base frame being in section coextensive with each sandwich panel and a pair of end supports, and means for securing said base frame sections together.
 6. The merchandise gondola according to claim 5 wherein a channel strip is mounted across the top of said sandwich panels and means for interconnecting said channel strips.
 7. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially rectangular sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each side of the periphery of said sides, a tension strap for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, said end supports being of roll-form construction having an outer flange and an inner L-shaped leg connected to said outer flange by an intermediate side portion, said sides of said sandwich panel, being receiving in abutting relation with respect to said L-shaped legs to form a generally continuous surface with said side portions, means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said supports and including a U-shaped clip connected to a base bracket through which passes said tension strap, and means for attaching the outer flange of said members to said clip.
 8. The merchandise gondola according to claim 7 wherein two panel members with vertical end supports are arranged in adjacent inline relation, a clip having a horizontal portion with two depending legs therefrom, said legs fitting alongside the outer flanges of said vertical end supports to connect the adjacent panels together, and members received within the channel members of said sandwich panels to form a generally continuous upper surface with the horizontal surface of said clip.
 9. The gondola according to claim 7 wherein a second sandwich panel is arranged at right angles with respect to a first said sandwich panel, a bracket is connected to the top portion of said second sandwich panel, said bracket having a leg fitting over the outer flange of a vertical support of said adjacent sandwich panel and means for attaching said leg and flange together.
 10. In a merchandise gondola which includes a pair of rigid vertical end supports and an intermediate section held therebetween for the display of merchandise, the improvement comprising, a sandwich panel having two substantially parallel sides of rigid sheet material, a channel member arranged along each edge of the periphery of said sides, said channel members defining spaced apart substantially parallel grooves for the reception of respective edge portions of said sides, tension strap means for fastening said channel members together in compression against said sides, said channel members having an outward central channel to contain said strap, and means for rigidly and integrally connecting said channel members to said end supports and including attaching clips between said channel members and said strap, each clip having two perpendicular legs received respectively in the outward central channels of adjacent channel members. 